Lecture on Modern English Lexicology

Introduction

• Lecturer: Associate Professor (name not provided)
• Institution: University of World Languages (part-time teacher)
• Courses Taught:
  • Vocabulary Studies (Lexicology)
  • Semantics and Word Formation (6th semester)

Course Logistics

• Course Materials: Available on Moodle (texts of lectures, presentations, video introduction)
• Course Schedule: For two months only lectures, then seminars
  • Remember to apply lecture knowledge during seminars

Overview of Lexicology

• Main Subject: The vocabulary of the language
• Common Misconception: Vocabulary is more than just words
• Systematic Description: English vocabulary described via lexical criteria - not phonetic or grammatical.
  • Etymological survey
  • Semantic classification
  • Relational capacity
  • Combinatory capacity
  • Rules of enriching the vocabulary
  • Variants of English

Connection with Other Branches of Linguistics

• Connected with phonetics, grammar, stylistics, lingua culturology, literature, and more.
• Examples: Vocabulary analysis often uses literature examples.

Types of Lexicology

• General: Covers all languages
• Special: Studies one language (e.g., English)
• Comparative/Contrastive: Studies two or more languages for similarities and differences
• Historical: Diacronic approach (study over time)
• Descriptive: Synchronic approach (study at a particular time)

Branches of Lexicology

1. Word Structure: Types of morphemes and their combinations
2. Word Formation: Methods of creating new words
3. Semasiology: Study of meanings
4. Etymology: Historical origin of words
5. Lexicography: Study of dictionaries (independent science)
6. Phraseology: Study of set expressions, idioms
7. Variants of English (Dialectology): Study of different English variants and dialects
8. Methods of Lexicological Research: Tools and techniques for studying vocabulary

Word Structure and Word Formation

• Word Structure: Smallest meaningful unit of vocabulary - morphemes
  • Types: root, non-root, free, bound
• Word Formation: 15 ways of enriching vocabulary (e.g., affixation, compounding, shortening)

Semasiology and Phraseology

• Semasiology: Study of meanings, not limited to individual words
• Phraseology: Study of stable word groups, idioms

Etymology and Lexicography

• Etymology: Native vs. borrowed words
  • 70% of English vocabulary is borrowed
• Lexicography: Study of dictionaries, dictionary entries

Variants of English and Methods

• Variants of English: American, Canadian, Australian, etc.
• Methods: Techniques for analyzing vocabulary
  • Componential Analysis: For semantic, cognitive, and cultural analyses
  • Distributional/Contextual Analysis: To distinguish meanings within contexts

Subject of Lexicology

• Terminology: From Greek words 'lexis' (word/phrase) and 'logos' (study/learning)
• Focus: Properties and functions of vocabulary units

Importance of Vocabulary

• Quotes from Linguists:
  • Wilkins: “Without grammar, very little can be conveyed; without vocabulary, nothing can be conveyed.”
  • Lewis: “Lexis is the core or heart of language."
  • Schmitt: “Learners carry dictionaries, not grammar books.”

Tasks and Expectations

• Seminar Questions: Involve vocabulary unit analysis requiring various dictionaries
• Dictionaries Needed: Etymological, specialized, etc.

Summary of Lexicology

• Reviews vocabulary system, structure, and composition
• Studies differences between vocabulary units
• Explains reasons and results of meaning change
• Presents semantic classification and word formation types
• Explores free and stable groups, etymological analysis
• Studies functional, regional, and territorial varieties

Final Notes

• Ready to answer questions and provide further assistance
• Contact available for any lexicology-related issues

---